Alkali enhancement of protein staining on nitrocellulose

Brief alkali treatment of nitocellulose‐bound protein markedly enhanced subsequent staining of protein with India ink or colloidal gold but not Amido Black. Following alkali treatment, India ink staining approaches colloidal gold staining in sensitivity and exceeds the latter method in clarity and economy. Furthermore, apparent protein‐to‐protein variation is reduced, allowing the method to be used for sensitive staining of protein transfers. Simple, high sensitivity staining of nitrocellulose‐bound protein using India ink can be achieved after alkali treatment in less than 2 hours.